By Gary Klien
Marin Independent Journal (California)
Copyright 2007 Marin Independent Journal, a MediaNews Group publication
All Rights Reserved
NOVATO, Calif. — The chief executive of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. in Novato, one of Marin’s largest employers, has resigned after five months on the job.
Joseph Beneducci, a 39-year-old Santa Rosa resident, left for “personal and career reasons,” said Susan Murdy, a spokeswoman for the insurer. The resignation was announced to employees Monday.
“It was his decision to leave,” Murdy said. “It was a surprise.”
Murdy did not know whether Beneducci was leaving to take another position. Beneducci could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Chuck Kavitsky, a former Fireman’s Fund chief executive, has been named interim CEO until a successor can be named. Kavitsky of Tiburon is president of Allianz of America, the U.S. division of the insurer’s German parent company, Allianz SE.
“Joe has been a significant part of Fireman’s Fund’s success and I want to thank him for his many contributions,” Kavitsky said in a statement released by the company. “We are fortunate that Fireman’s Fund has deep bench strength in its leadership team in addition to a strong position in the property/casualty insurance market.
“Our direction and strategy will continue as planned.”
Beneducci, the son of a New York City firefighter, joined Fireman’s Fund in 1998 after a 10-year career at Chubb, an insurance company in New Jersey. Before becoming CEO in January, Beneducci held several top positions at Fireman’s Fund, including president and chief operating officer, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, and senior vice president in the company’s commercial business unit.
Fireman’s Fund, founded in 1863, employs about 1,300 workers in Marin and 4,400 nationwide. The insurer had assets of nearly $12 billion at the end of last year.
Allianz bought Fireman’s Fund in 1991.